Ulcers of the stomach are more common as we age due to a variety of changes, including reduced ability to heal small injuries. Engevik and colleagues show that gastric stem cells isolated from young mice can be transplanted into sites of injury within the stomachs of older mice, and that this results in accelerated repair. The ability of the transplanted young mouse cells, but not stem cells from older mice, to differentiate into a specialized cell type, termed SPEM, which is central to the healing process, appears to be a central component of this. While more work must be done, it is clear that this approach, or other means of inducing older cells to differentiate into SPEM, would be powerful in treatment of gastric injury.

The intestinal microbiome has been the subject of intense scientific and lay interest over the past decade, and changes have been correlated with disease states. Most of this work has, however, relied on analyses of microbes within stool, which may not be representative of microbial populations that interface directly with the intestinal lining, i.e. mucosal surface. Further, characterization of stool microbes does not allow analysis of differences that may be present in separate regions of the intestine. Li and colleagues analyzed microbial proteins at the surface of six separate sites within the colon of healthy subjects and those with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. The data show that microbial populations at mucosal surfaces are related, but distinct, in separate regions of the colon. This suggests that we must change our view of the microbiome as a soup in which all components are present in equal proportions at all sites to that of a mosaic composed of networks reflecting local mucosal ecology. Such understanding is essential as efforts to manipulate the microbiome for therapeutic purposes continue.

Liver disease is caused by many disorders and toxic agents, of which alcohol is the most common. However, the underlying cellular processes that cause widespread damage, which can lead to cirrhosis, are not well defined. Chen and colleagues demonstrates that acrolein — a byproduct of alcohol consumption that is increased with increased dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids — mediates many of the damaging effects of alcohol on the liver. Hydrazine — an acrolein scavenger in clinical use — protected mice from the damaging effects of alcohol, suggesting that hydralazine or similar drugs might be potential therapies in acute alcoholic liver disease.

For all of the articles highlighted here, the authors have no conflicts to disclose.

About the AGA Institute

The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org.

About Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology

CMGH is the newest peer-reviewed journal published by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). The mission of CMGH is to publish impactful digestive biology research that ranges from mechanisms of normal function to pathobiology and covers a broad spectrum of themes in gastroenterology, hepatology and pancreatology. The journal reports the latest advances in cell biology, immunology, physiology, microbiology, genetics and neurobiology of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic health and disease. For more information, visit www.cmghjournal.org.